Chapter 236
โZinnia, there you are.โ Lydia opened the door with a warm smile as she saw Zinnia. Now that Bonnieโs health was improving, the gloom over Lydia had lifted, like a pearl wiped clean of dust.
โZinnia.โ Bonnieโs voice trilled from the living room, followed by the clatter of toys. Quickly, her figure peeked out from behind Lydia, her eyes shining like stars at Zinnia.
โI missed you so much,โ Bonnie pouted, tugging at Zinniaโs hand. โYou didnโt come see me yesterday.โ
Before Zinnia could respond, Lydia gently took Bonnieโs hand, smiling softly. โMom, remember? I told you Zinnia was busy yesterday.โ
After losing her memories, Bonnie mostly saw Lydia, the nanny, and Zinnia, and sheโd taken a total shine to Zinnia.
โWant something to make you happy, Bonnie?โ Zinnia flashed a grin, leaning into the corner to yank out a three-foot-tall monster candy cane.
โWow, a candy cane! Itโs so huge and long!โ Bonnieโs eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands in delight.
Zinnia handed the candy cane over, and Bonnie grabbed it eagerly. โThank you, Zinnia. Youโre the best!โ
Lydia gave a fond eye-roll. โYou always bring her something. She asks about you every single day.โ
โThen Iโll come visit more often,โ Zinnia said as she changed her shoes and stepped into the living room.
Bonnie was already planted on the couch, carefully unwrapping the candy cane.
โSmells amazing, Lydia. Whatโs cooking?โ Zinnia called out, the sweet aroma hitting her as she walked in.
โEgg tarts, sweet potatoes, and cookies,โ Lydia replied, trailing behind. She always had a spread of treats ready when Zinnia came over.
โScore!โ Zinnia beamed.
โI made some orange juice. Let me pour you a glass,โ Lydia offered.
Zinnia settled onto the couch, where Lydiaโs notebook lay openโfilled with neat study notes written just for Zinnia. Since Zinnia struggled with STEM basics, Lydia had been compiling detailed annotations to break down tough concepts.
Quickly, Lydia came back, carrying a tray with three glasses, bear-shaped cookies, and egg tarts. โTry this, iced orange juice,โ Lydia said.
As Zinnia took it, the bright tang of freshly squeezed oranges hit her nose. Ice cubes clinked against the rim, their edges already softening in the vibrant, sun-colored juice. A slice of orange perched on the edgeโpith carefully trimmed, just how she liked it.
โYour homemade orange juice is always amazing,โ Zinnia said, taking the cup with both hands and sipping. Instantly, her eyes sparkled with delight.
โGlad you like it,โ Lydia murmured, lowering her gaze with a soft smile.
Zinnia took another sip of her drink, then pulled out a workbook from her bag. It was stuffed with problems that Lydia had given her. Whenever she had time, sheโd work on them. If she got stuck, Lydia would help her out.
โLydia,โ Zinnia said sheepishly, โI only cracked two of yesterdayโs problems. There are a few Iโm stuck on. Can you walk me through them?โ
โOkay,โ Lydia said, sitting beside Zinnia and leaning in to check the workbook.
Zinnia held her cup, waiting as Lydia reviewed the pages. The light, citrusy scent of orangeโcoming from Lydiaโhung in the air around them.
Zinnia lowered her gaze as Lydia leaned in, then did a double-takeโLydia had taken off her black-framed glasses, revealing a delicate and beautiful face.
Lydiaโs skin was tender, untouched by the sun. A dainty nose, softly arched brows, and rose-tinted lipsโshe stood there like a piece of glass figurine, exuding quiet elegance and that cozy, bookish vibe.
She wasnโt drop-dead gorgeous, but there was something so warm and trustworthy about her. Being near her was like sinking into a cozy armchair, making Zinnia feel like Lydia would always have her back.
Zinnia thought about the recent trend of categorizing girls into different โelements.โ She figured Lydia must be waterโher appearance was so clear and pure, giving off a soft and gentle vibe.
โLydia, youโre not wearing glasses,โ Zinnia blurted out.
โYeah.โ Lydia tilted her head up, eyes crinkling into gentle half-moons. The tenderness in her gaze made Zinniaโs breath catch.
Leaning in to see the workbook, Lydia angled herself lower than Zinnia. When she looked up, a few strands of hair fell across her face. From this upward view, her features seemed even more fragileโlike a doll.
Zinnia was momentarily stunned by her beauty and blurted out, โLydia, youโre so beautiful.โ
Sheโd never seen Lydia like thisโso gentle, so beautiful. At that moment, she just wanted to claim Lydia as her daughter and play dress-up.
โOh, I didnโt expect Lydia to be this gorgeous. Those clunky black frames were hiding her glow this whole time. I need to get her a cute pairโcanโt let those outdated specs mask her beauty anymore,โ Zinnia thought.
โThanks for the sweet words, cutie.โ Lydiaโs lips curved into a soft smile, her light brown eyes crinkling with amusement. Her voice was as gentle as a lullaby.
โI wish I could have a daughter just like you someday,โ Zinnia said, propping her chin in her hand as she stared at Lydia with heartfelt eyes. Too bad her health wouldnโt let her have kidsโshe could only satisfy her longing by admiring Lydiaโs face.
Lydiaโs smile flickered for a second. She picked up a pen and said, โZinnia, letโs focus on these problemsโno more chit-chat.โ
โGot it.โ Zinnia plunked down her cup at the mention of homework, trying to look serious. โProblems, problemsโฆ Iโll solve every last one! This time, theyโll be the ones losing sleep over me,โ she vowed silently.
But reality hit hard. Fifteen minutes later, Zinnia flopped back with a groan, taking a vicious bite of an egg tart. โThis is impossible, Lydia. Am I just dense? Youโve explained this a million times.โ
Zinniaโs STEM basics were nonexistent. Sheโd never really studied before, so she was years behind. Catching up wasnโt gonna happen overnight.
She wasnโt a prodigy. She couldnโt learn things at a glanceโevery concept needed repetition: drilling, reciting, brainstorming, and rewriting. There was no way to make up for a decade of missed studying in a month or two.
Seeing Zinniaโs defeated look, Lydia ruffled her hair gently. โYouโre not dense at all. Weโll take it slowโyouโre a quick learner. We just need to build your foundation. Donโt be so hard on yourself, alright?โ
After wolfing down two egg tarts and guzzling her orange juice, Zinnia perked right up. โLydia, Iโm back in the game. Letโs keep going,โ she said, pumping her fist.